Uncrowned Community Builders

Norma Jean Tucker, a native of Muskogee, Oklahoma, is an outstanding leader. Educated in Muskogee, Oklahoma, public schools, she was an outstanding student from elementary school-Douglass Elementary School-- through her graduation from Manual Training High School. She graduated with the second highest grade point average in her class and graduated as Salutatorian. That high scholastic standard entitled her to be crowned Miss Manual of the 1948-49 school year. She never failed to be in the State Honor Society and was a member of the National Honor Society. During her high school years, she competed in Interscholastic competitions held at Langston University and won awards in Extemporaneous Speaking and Debating. In the junior class production of "Wuthering Heights", she played the role of Catherine.

She was an honor student at Langston University each semester. An active participant in student activities, she was an officer of the student council, and her sorority, Alpha Zeta Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha. She graduated with honors-Magna Cum Laude. She served as a student representative on the college's accreditation team and was the outstanding secretary for the Division of Education, headed by Dr. William Martin.

After graduation, she taught business at Douglass High School in Ardmore, Oklahoma. During that time, she also studied at The University of Oklahoma and received the degree-Master of Education at the University. Further study was at The University of California at Berkeley and California State University of East Bay. She was selected as a Fellow of The American Council on Education, Washington, D.C.

She also taught at Oakland Technical High School, in Oakland, California for six years. She received a position as instructor at Merritt College which was located on Grove Street at the time. She remained on Grove Street when the campus was moved to the Oakland Hills and later became the Division Dean when the campus was renamed North Peralta College. She was appointed Dean of Instruction and later served as Campus Administrator during the phase out of this campus. The first class schedule for Berkeley's Nontraditional campus-now Vista College--was prepared by her during her tenure at North Peralta College.

She worked tirelessly with the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees in the transfer of all staff from North Peralta Community College to sister college campuses. Norma Tucker was transferred to Merritt as Dean of Instruction and served for seven years. She was appointed Acting President of Merritt College in 1982, and later appointed President. She served for six years until the Board wanted a change in leadership. Her educational experience in the Peralta District ended as a professor at College of Alameda in the Business and Transportation Department.

Norma Jean Tucker was baptized at the age of 12 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, at Rayfield Baptist Church and served as Sunday School Secretary for many years. She participated in district church competitions-public speaking, etc. and won many awards. She was a Girl Scout during her junior high school days.

She has one son, Kumigawa, Japan-Norance Keith Tucker and has one godson-Keith Aaron Vann.

Norma Jean has an outstanding record of community and has been a member of numerous civic, cultural and support organizations at both the local and national levels. Some of her organizations include Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Inc., The Links. Incorporated, and the American Red Cross-Bay Area Chapter. San Francisco, United Way, life-time member of the NAACP, In each she has served in a leadership capacity. She is a firm believer in mentoring-always teaching and correcting one's English. She loves Robert Frost's poem-"The Road Not Taken". She rereads classics; loves the opera; collects stamps and has traveled widely-nationally and internationally.